EASI: Cloud-based, real-time data analysis through simulation and iteration

In Short

In a cooperative practical project with the companies Virtual Fort Knox AG and Lexer Research Inc., the real data from a Festo machine was compared with the target data from the simulation. This enables the learning factory to be implemented, which opens up new optimization possibilities for increasing productivity.

In Detail

The EASI project implements the digital PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle with real-time data acquisition by integrating Virtual Fort Knox's IoT solution and Lexer Research's cloud-based production simulator GDfindi.

Via the Manufacturing Service Bus (MSB), Virtual Fort Knox collects and transmits data to a simulation controller using the Virtual Fort Knox Cloud real-time data transmission service. The MSB and the GDfindi simulator are integrated via the Virtual Fort Knox Research Platform. For this purpose, the data from a Festo machine set up at Fraunhofer IPA are recorded and compared with the simulation data from GDfindi via a simulation controller. This allows conclusions to be drawn about discrepancies between the real data and the simulation data.

The EASI solution is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized manufacturing companies who are able to set up a cloud environment and network their systems appropriately.

In general, this enables the advantages of a learning and transparent production to be exploited:

“What can be learned from the differences between target and real data?”

and production to be anticipated:

“What does the emerging difference between target and real data mean for the planned daily production? Does action need to be taken?”